Health centre to open in 2019

That’s according to Health Minister Jim Wells, who says the new facility at Lagan Valley hospital is part of a pilot project:

“This new centre is one of two pilot projects being progressed as a ‘Third Party Development’ where the private sector finance the investment and where its services are leased back for an agreed annual amount.”

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson welcomed the announcement.

“This project has the capacity to safeguard the future of the Lagan Valley hospital and to improve facilities available for local people,” he said.

“I have been told by the Trust that they will soon make an announcement about the opening of the new Minor Injuries unit, which combined with the Accident & Emergency Unit and the GP out of hours service will restore 24 hour cover to the hospital.

“It is essential that 24 hour casualty cover is reinstated at the Lagan Valley hospital as soon as possible and we in the DUP are working hard to achieve this.”